Cursor Auto-Movement for Impaired User Selection
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for interacting with computer systems, such as pointing and clicking on small screen areas, are challenging for users in moving environments or those with motor impairments, as they require precise cursor positioning.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a method where the cursor automatically moves in a predetermined manner in response to user actions, such as holding or releasing a button, allowing for seamless selection without requiring precise user input, by incorporating pre-selection and during-selection modes that can be configured and controlled through a system that filters user input and uses timers for automatic movement.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional mouse-based pointing method is used, then users can interact with computer systems, but users in moving environments or with motor impairments cannot accurately position the cursor on small screen areas
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables the cursor to move itself automatically along a predetermined trajectory without requiring continuous user input for positioning. The cursor autonomously completes the movement from start to end point, serving itself rather than requiring constant user control for each movement increment.
Solution Approach 2:
The user initiates a selection by pressing a button, and the system pre-determines and executes the complete cursor trajectory in advance based on the current display state. The automatic movement is prepared and executed without requiring the user to continuously adjust the cursor position during the movement process.
2Ease of operation
If the cursor automatically moves along a predetermined trajectory, then users in moving environments or with motor impairments can easily select targets, but the system complexity increases due to filtering user input and managing multiple modes
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts the automatic movement behavior based on the current operational mode (pre-selection mode, during-selection mode, or normal mode). The trajectory generation and cursor control parameters are updated in real-time according to the display state and user actions, allowing flexible adaptation without requiring complex static configurations.
Solution Approach 2:
The system introduces an intermediary layer between the user input and the cursor movement. This intermediary mechanism filters and processes user button presses to determine when automatic movement should occur, mediating between simple user actions and complex automatic trajectory execution to manage system complexity.
3Measurement precision
If the cursor movement is completely automated, then precise positioning is achieved without user input, but user control and flexibility are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The user performs a preliminary action by pressing a button to initiate selection, which triggers the automatic movement. This preliminary user input provides the necessary control signal while the actual precise positioning is performed automatically, combining user initiation with automated execution.
Solution Approach 2:
The system monitors user button presses and cursor position to determine when automatic movement should start and stop. The feedback from user input and cursor state allows the system to dynamically adjust and terminate automatic movement at the appropriate moment, maintaining user control while achieving precise positioning.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are provided for choosing a position on a display having a cursor. In one aspect, an exemplary method, which can be computer-implemented, includes the steps of automatically moving the cursor in a predetermined during-selection mode in response to a first user-initiated action, and, responsive to a second user-initiated action when the cursor is at a first location, ceasing the moving of the cursor in the predetermined during-selection mode, and causing a choosing action to be performed at the first location, such that the first location is chosen as the position